Master Credit: Payments Over Inquiries

On-time payments and credit utilization are the two most significant factors affecting your credit score. Both of these elements comprise the majority of your overall credit rating. In contrast, factors such as hard inquiries and account openings have a relatively minor impact. Even with a substantial number of credit inquiries, one can maintain a high credit score, as these inquiries typically result in only a slight variation in points, often five to ten. Therefore, focusing on consistent on-time payments is crucial for sustaining a strong credit profile.